Helping Disabled People Join the Workforce

Disability can pose many challenges, not least feeling excluded when it comes to finding a job. But now, disabled people struggling to find work are hopefully seeing improvement with the success of a Government scheme. Recent figures have shown that it has so far allowed over 600,000 people to move into work since it began just four years ago.

Positive Changes

In the past, it has often felt like a losing battle getting employers to recognise the talent and skills of people with mobility or health issues. Now, positive changes have been made since the launch of the Government Disability Confident Scheme and the numbers certainly speak for themselves. More than 2,300 disabled people move into work every week across the UK since the scheme was launched in 2013. Thousands more decide to use their skills to go it alone as entrepreneurs. The future is looking bright for those who want to get into work but have previously felt excluded.

Shaping the Employment Landscape

The scheme was launched by the Work and Pensions Secretary, Esther McVey who wanted to build on the success of the London Paralympics in 2012. So far, she has been encouraged by the response of bosses. Esther said that companies have “embraced a genuine culture change” to be more accessible. Not just that, but it seems that the scheme has also helped change attitudes and enabled companies to build confidence in making their work place more inclusive. Esther continued;

“When we began this campaign, I knew that people felt excluded from certain types of work and employers told me they lacked the confidence to know how to address that. We embarked on a journey of reaching out and supporting people. Business and disabled people have come together to shape the employment landscape.”

Talent

This change has allowed businesses to think more carefully about their employees’ needs. Even small changes can make a big impact to the day to day lives of disabled workers. Aids such as vibrating phones, message systems for deaf employees and flexible working arrangements can go a long way in making employees feel valued and included. Furthermore, access to work has climbed yearly with an 11% increase in job availability this year alone. Esther McVey credits this to the dedication of both potential employers and employees. She said;

“The scheme could have achieved nothing without thousands of businesses who have signed up – or without those inspiring individuals.”

Paul Bailey of Acacia Training, one of the businesses that have signed up to the scheme put it simply;

“Employing disabled people has benefited the business in lots of different areas. Why wouldn’t you want to pick from a huge talent pool?” he added.

We couldn’t agree more!

“The scheme could have achieved nothing without thousands of businesses who have signed up – or without those inspiring individuals.”